SCRIPTURE
Romans 8: 12-25
12
So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live
according to the flesh-- 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will
die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did
not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a
spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 it is that very
Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if
children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ--if, in fact, we
suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. 18 I consider that
the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about
to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the
revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility,
not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that
the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain
the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole
creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the
creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan
inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in
hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is
seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.